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Part 7. Pedestal (Silesian) Stem Glasses (1716 - 1765).

Pedestal square stem goblet with baluster bowl and a moulded Royal inscription, c.1715, Ht. 15.6 cm.: The moulded text round the shoulder is "GOD SAVE YE KING" (i.e. George I). On the fourth side is a crowned bust flanked by G R. The bowl is set straight onto the stem.Image courtesy of Bonhams. This group of glasses was originally called "Silesian" because their introduction coincided with the German reign of George 1st as King of England. This style of pedestal stem was thought to have originated in Silesia where they were also very popular. However, recent research reveals that the earliest dated glass of this type (1715) is actually English. The description "Silesian" has now been abandoned in favour of "pedestal" or "drawn" stem.

Pedestal square stem goblet, c.1715, Ht. 16cm.: The roccoco engraving is rather early for this glass. 1720-25 is more appropriate. The bowl is joined to the stem by a "wafer".Image courtesy of Bonhams. Heavy, impressive, little variation and nowhere much to go, characterises the Pedestal (Silesian) stemmed glasses as the dinosaurs of English 18th century glass. Even in their day, unlike dinosaurs, they represented only a small proportion of the drinking glass population. This stem type was originally thought to be a German invention - hence the original description as Silesian. Their manufacture is novel in that a small bulb of hot glass is pressed into a shallow 2-part dip mould containing the outline of the stem. As the glass is withdrawn the hollow stem elongates and tapers to where the foot is attached. English innovation adapted them for commemorative use by carving Royal tributes into the base and sides of the mould for the Hanoverian, George I when he became King of England in 1714. In fact, none of the inscribed glasses indicate which George is meant, but the style of the first pedestals are characteristically those of the early balusters; George II did not become king until 1727.

The earliest Pedestals have 4 or 6 sides and characteristically link a typical baluster bowl with a thick base to the foot - usually folded. A rare pedestal stem Royal commemorative glass. 1715. Ht. 16cm.: This goblet in the Fitzwilliam collection has an 8-sided pedestal stem with stars on the shoulder surmounted by a moulded knop carrying the words "GOD BLESS KING GEORG" relating to King George I. (C486.1961).Thinning the solid base of the bowl led to the insertion of a collar between it and the stem. Likewise another collar was placed between stem and foot to tidy up the appearance of the glass. Apart from motifs relating to King George the only other decorative feature to emerge was the addition of moulded stars to the shoulder of the stem which becomes curved as it is withdrawn from the mould. Later, beaded knops and 8-sided stems appear but these are mainly associated with other tableware, sweetmeats, candlesticks and tazzas.

A complex pedestal stem armorial wine glass. c. 1750. Ht. 20cm.: The bowl is engraved with Dutch arms and a Latin tag. The stem has a triple collar above a 6-sided pedestal stem with stars at the shoulder. A large base knop and domed and folded foot completes this well- proportioned glass. Undated but late in the series.The pedestal stem has two advantages for the glassmaker. It is quick and easy to make, and it is adaptable in length to suit the glass required. The Pedestal gains elegance with elongation and some of the tall glasses are stylishly attractive. From the collector's point of view, other than the commemorative pieces, they are difficult to date. For drinking glasses their life in any number was unquestionably short although dates up to 1765 are suggested for some. They fared rather better on tableware, particularly sweetmeat glasses where the stem, with the addition of a double or triple collar, provides a balanced support for an equally substantial bowl. Bowl shape on the drinking glasses is generally limited to the drawn funnel (for earlier glasses) and the bell or round funnel. Beyond this, there is little more to be said.Tall pedestal stem sweetmeat glass. c. 1745. Ht. 19.5: Note the air twist in the top knop.

Their demise may reflect their origin in relation to the general lack of public acceptance of the German branch of our monarchy. But weight counted against them after imposition of the 1745/6 Excise duty since glass was still sold by weight. Also the competing interest of the lighter new Air Twist glasses made them look old-fashioned, particularly as the moulding did little for the optical qualities of lead crystal. Hence, it was the Air Twist that rapidly captured popularity among an increasingly affluent public.